10/26/2026
Inspiration for today: Everyday, ordinary events are seldom what we scrapbook. Why?? And some of us 🙋♀️ never know what to write for our journaling, or don't have a photo to go with a story, and that's where we stop. You MUST read what my friend Jackie wrote about her granddaughter (Yes Jackie has a talent for writing, that's not the point). This story screams 1-page layout with maybe a few small pics. (I never do 1 page layouts either). The photos add to the story but the story is what I would want to save. (Anyone still have a Stories I Love album??) Ooohhhh...mini album ideas anyone??
Even though she has photos, comment what she could use if she didn't.
Jackie Goff: There were 2 events this weekend that gave me new insight to the child called “Amelia”, who is discovering the world at a pace as rapidly as a toddler learns to talk, but in ways so subtle you really need to pay attention to see them.
It was our (hers and mine) first ever ballet, Sleepy Hollow, with dinner before hand at an old venue in the Oliver House building. On the way across the street, she looks up, sees the name on the building and says “ohhh boy…I hope we aren’t going in there”! When Ben asked why and she replies “Don’t you know the backstory on that building?”.
Backstory? What 9 yr old kid knows that word? She explained that the building is reportedly haunted which Ben and I experienced some 25 years ago!
Leaving the restaurant, she passes an artistically arranged piece of 4-5 huge antique wooden pulley wheels (I assume), and upon looking at it from all angles says “…hmmm…this is interesting but I don’t understand the artist’s point of view on this…hey Grandpa…do you understand the artist’s point of view?” I hated to tell her that my point of view was that this was simply a stack of old wooden wheels…🤷🏻♀️
At the ballet, she was often on the edge of her seat, wide-eyed with wonder as the dancers portrayed spooky scenes without any dialogue. Honestly, I was lost, not knowing the story. I should have read the program. She laughed, bounced up with excitement and squeeked out “YEAH!!”when things were going well for Ichabod and Katrina. She is now sold on Jazz music and the Ballet, as she pirouetted out of the lobby, into the walkway, without a care.
Finishing the weekend with us, she was my helper at the art fair, in a most grown up way. She helped arrange the booth, added her own little corner which she named “Amelia’s Corner” but after a while and much consideration, changed it to “Amelia’s Edge”. I am not sure what prompted that change, but she did sell 2 embellished paper dresses!
Holding a knitted stack of pumpkins, she asked the vendor “what was your inspiration for knitting these?”. 😳 Carolyn Huffman and I looked at each other in surprise, because, when would any kid ask THAT question? 🤭 I think Carolyn is still trying to find the right reply other than ‘I think they are cute’, which satisfied us, but clearly Amelia was looking for something deeper.🤭
Midway through the day, the 9 year old grabbed a $1 and ran off into the brewery coming back beaming for some sly reason, and announces that she just put a tip in the musician’s tip jar because he was doing a really good job. She also got his card, one for me and one for herself, telling me to hold on to it in case I need it in the future.
After his set, he came to the table to thank us, and as he was walking in, she lit up like Katy Perry was coming toward us! The musician, a man clearly old enough to be a grandpa, had made some sort of energetic connection with her, and she was in awe that he stopped by.
At the end of the event, I discovered that with each sale that I packaged up, she was sneaking a hand-written piece of paper into the buyer’s hands or package, like she was giving them a secret treasure map and giggled when I noticed, but wouldn’t share with me. I prayed it was a good message. 🤪 Later, I found out she gave them a ‘care of art’ instruction “no heat”!
It is less often that I get opportunities of this kind, to watch my grandkids in different situations (or have them to myself without Grandpa 😉) and this one makes me realize that I need to make appointments with the other grands ASAP!
